Hi Netters, I am not sure where anyone is getting a BF rate of 70%. In Colorado, an independant survey might have been done, but nationally, the rates are quite different. The total US initiation in hospital is 59.2. One week is 57.4. 1st month is 50.1. The 2nd month is 42.8. The 4th month is 29. The 5th month is 24.8. The 6th month is 21.7. Separated out, BF initiation from hospital breast only was 47.3 and BF and supplement was 11.9. At 6 months BF alone was12.2 and BF and supplement was 9.5. There still is no availability of the first half year of 1997, but as soon as I get the Ross numbers, I will post them. "Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality, they are also dress rehearsals, plans. All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination". By Barbara Grizzuti Harrison. Dream on everyone...... Pat Bull,RN, IBCLC The Breastfeeding Connection/Medela Naperville, IL